Two-zone pump



Feb. 9, 1954 i T. P. HOFFER 2,668,500

' TWO-ZONE PUMP Filed Oct. 11, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Temp/e Hoffer [NIENFOR- waw z ig T. P. HOFFER TWO-ZONE PUMP Feb. 9, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Oct. 11. 1948 lli/la Hm M m m r P m W mg W Feb 9, 1954 T. P.HOFFER TWO-ZONE PUMP Filed Oct. 11, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 P Hoffer Te/na/e INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 9, 1954 Temple P; Homer, Dalia Pressure Control;Inc.,

tion of Delaware s, et a 'j i i ji i Qii' Dallas; Text; a corpora-Application October 11, 1948', Serial Nb. 59,365 1 (c1. roe-:4)

17 Claims;

This" invention relates to improvements in ap paratus for pumping oilwells and refers more" articuiafl toapparatus for pumping fluid fromdeep wells having two different zones of production:

This application is a continuation in part of my co' pen'ding'application for United State's Lette'rsPiatent, Serial Number 702,769;filed October 11=, 1946', for Two-Zone Pump, now U. S. Patent No.2,513,869,

In the production of two-zone completion wells allowable produc'tionmust be'shut down whilethe' balance of the allowable'production of theother zoneis produced: Also equipping the wen with the pumping ap aratusI wianeche upper pumping'assembly and thenre' lease theassemblyjin ordertliattherod, which is to be used for the actuation" of the pumpingunits, may be manipulated for the purpose'of're setting a polish rod orthe like. It' is desirable to provide a releasable connection betweenthe portion of the upper pumping unit that is supported' on theactuating rod which connection will be remade when this portionof thepumping unit isreleased fro'r'i'iits prior landing so that itmaybe resetby lowering the suckerrod.

This invention has for one of it's objects the provision oftwo-zon'epumping apparatus which maybe employed t'o'induceflow selectively fromone of the production zones or from both zones simultaneously.

Another obj ect" ofthis invention is to provide two-'z'oneipumpingequipment which may be em ployd to' pump from either' ofthe productionzones separately or from both of the production zones simultaneously.

A further object is to providetw'o-zon'e pumpin'g. equipmentwhereinmanipulation of'the actuating rodwill'render the pumping unit forone of'th'e-z'one effectiveor'ineffective as desired.

Still-"another object is to provide twa -zone puifi ping equipment'wl'i'erein rotative manipulatioii or the opi'ara'tirigrod will renderone 1 pump unit operative rotational sense" and" wherein reciprocal'loiigi it is frequently necessary or inoperative dpendenton the" 2tudnia'i movement or the actuatin rod, outside the limits ofthe usualreciprocation for ump-1 irig purposes, will selectively render the otherpumping unit operative or inoperative. i

A still further object is to provide atwo-zon'e pumping mechanismemploying a standing-valve ass muy carriedby the actuating rod so as tobe insertable and removable from the well tub ing with the red, themechanism having a means for opening and closing the standing valve uponrotation of the actuating rod, dependent upon the rotational sensei h AI H I Yet another object is to provid two-zone pumpingmechanisniemploying' a pump barrel for one o'rthe pump units which ismounted on the actuating rod and is insertable and removable from thewell tubing along with the rod and wherein a latch mechanism is providedfor se-' curing the pump barrel in one of two positions within the Welltubing SO that with the barrel in one of such positions; the pump unitassociated' ther'ewith' will beeffective and with the bar-I rel inthelother position, such pump unit will b inefiective. I Yet a furtherobject is to provide reciprocatin gftype' pumpingapparatus forinstallation in a" two-zone completionw'ell; the apparatus being capableof being: rendered selectively effective or inefiect-iveby' anipulationof the actuating rod foritheapparatus, V V g i Even another'object'is toprovide in two-"zone pumping equipment a release mechanism for anchoringparts carried by' the actuating" rod in operative" positionjwithin astring of How tubing which parts" may be selectively released and thenremade without the nece'sfs'ity of pulling theparts' to be anchored'oalcjk, to the ground surface after they havejon e been anchored in'position;

Evn a further'object is to'provide in two-zone pumping equipment astanding valve and packer assemmy" adapted to, be inserted and withdrawnmadam from a well, tubing by'the actuating rod for the pump, there beingprovided a first rele'asfi able latch mechanism for securing the as'semloly:

in" oper'atifve position within the tubing and a second releasable latchmechanism for securing the asfs e A 1 upon the rod wherein the firstmechanism is active to release-the second mechanism when the'rod ismoveddownwardly in the tubing arid wherein the'second mechanism releases thisi first mechanism upon upward move-'- Qther an mailerobjects' ofl g n iigenuaiii g desc riptiori.

m" the accompanying'drawings which form a 3 part of the instantspecification, are to be read in conjunction therewith and wherein likereference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view partially in vertical section illustrating anoil well equipped with apparatus embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section upon an enlarged scale illustrating thepart of the apparatus of Fig. 1 pertaining to the anchoring of a part ofthe upper pumpin unit in a crossover flow device;

Fig. 3 is a view on an enlarged scale illustrating the lower pump unitin operative position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating the lower pump unitin an inoperative position;

Fig. 5 is a view on an enlarged scale illustrating the standing valve ofthe-upper pump unit together with a hold-down mechanism for closing thestanding valve;

Fig. 6 is an elevational detail of the hold-down mechanism for the upperstanding valve showing the'same in half-section and upon a much largerscale than the showing of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view taken along the line 1--1 in Fig. 6 in the direction ofthe arrows;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, upon an even larger scale, of the nut whichsecures the hold-down assembly to the standing valve assembly;

Fig. 9 is a view upon a greatly enlarged scale illustrating the lookingor hold-down mechanism for securing the upper standing valve and packerin operative position and illustrating the parts just as thestandingvalve and packer assembly have'been lowered to their operativeposition;

Fig.'l0 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the parts in operativeposition with the actuating rod also in operative position for pumpingboth of the zones of a two-zone well;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view similar to Figs.

9 and but illustrating the parts in position with the standing valvepacker assembly about to be withdrawn from the well tubing and with thehold-down mechanism orlatch released.

Figs. 12 and 12A are enlarged views of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;and Figs. 13 and 13A are enlarged views of the apparatus shown in Fig.2. Referring to Figs. 1, l2 and 12A well casing l5 has upperperforations 15a and lower perforations 15b adapted to communicate withupper and lower producing formations respectively of a two-zoneproducing well. Extending downwardly within the casing is a string offlow tubing l6 which is connected to special fittings and through thesefittings extends to the lower formation. These special fittings housethe upper and lower reciprocal-type pump units disposed respectivelyadjacent the upper and lower producing formations and this equipmentwill be hereinafter more fully explained.

Referring to the apparatus for pumpin the upper producing formation, itis believed that an understanding of the apparatus will be obtained byfirst pointing out that the equipment for pumping the upper producingformation is of the reciprocal type and contains a standing valve, aplunger including a traveling valve, and a pump barrel, together withpacking means for maintaining separate flow passages for the fluidproduced from the two producing zones of the well.

While the pump barrel or liner for the upper pump unit is illustrated ashaving a stationary mounting on the tubing string so that it can beremoved from the well only along with the 4 tubing string, it is,however, contemplated that this pump barrel may be mounted in a fashionto be removable with the actuating rod or sucker rod which is connectedto the pump plungers or pumping members. This latter type removable pumpbarrel is illustrated in conjunction with the lower pump unit.

In order to secure the upper pump barrel to the tubing a specialcoupling H is threaded to tubing 16 and has a threaded connection withan upper cylinder jacket IS. The lower end of jacket [8 is threaded tofitting It. The coupling l7 and fitting 19 have confronting internalannular shoulders, Ila and I911. respectively, between which the pumpbarrel or liner 20 is secured.

Fitting [9 has a threaded connection not shown in the drawings with anupper packer sleeve 2| which carries a packin 22 providing a sealbetween the packing sleeve 2l and the tube 23. The tube 23 communicateswith the interior of the pump liner 2!], and provides a portion of theflow passage for conducting fluid from the upper formation to the groundsurface. The fitting 24 is threaded to packing sleeve 21 and has apassage 24a therein which communicates between the tubing casing annulusand the annular space between tube 23 and the interior of fitting 24.This latter annular space and the passage 24a provide a portion of thepassage for conducting well fluids produced from the lower formationinto the tubing casing annulus in a manner to be hereinafter more fullyexplained. Fitting 24 has a threaded connection with an outer tubularmember or packing mandrel 25 and the annular space between the mandreland'tube 23 provides a portion of the passage for the flow of fluid fromthe lower formation. The packing mandrel 25, carries externally thereof,annular packings 26 providing a seal between the casing l5 and themandrel. These packings 26 may be of a conventional type, beingsupported on the mandrel 25 at an annular flange 2511 providedintermediate the length of the mandrel.

This above packer arrangement has been found to be entirely satisfactorybut as an alternative the packer arrangement shown and described indetail in my above-mentioned co-pending application, now U. S. PatentNo. 2,513,869, may be employed.

The packing mandrel 25 is threaded to the outer casing 21 of a crossoverflow device. Interiorly of the outer casing 21 is a flow member 28 (Fig.2) which is threaded to the lower end of tube 23. This member 28 hasperipheral grooves 280: therein extending axially and providing passagesfor flow of fluid into the annular space between tubing 23 and mandrel25. At circumferentially arranged positions, different than thepositions of grooves 2811, member 28 is provided with ports 28bextending substantially radially and communicating with the upper ports|5a of the well casing and radial ports 21a in casing 21. With thisarrangement the upper producing formation is in communication with theinterior of the tubular flow member 28.

The flow member 28 has a threaded fitting with a cylindrical member 29and concentrically arranged about the cylindrical member 29 is a casing30. The space between the cylindrical member and casing 30 communicateswith the passages provided by grooves 28a and provides a portion of theflow passage for the fluid from the lower producing formation of thewell. The

inner tubular or cylindrical member 29 is adapted to receive a packoffmeans to form a equipment and the tube. whereby the 'passage.--.wellsfiuidfrom the upper.

wayforproducing .-the

formation is sealed oif producing fluids from from the passageway forthe lower formation...

The tube or cylindrical member .29 also carries latch partsin the formof a.fitting.3lthreaded thereto and having Y spring. fingers 32;extending. axially therefrom. This latch part. is usedytoanchor astandingvalve and packer assembly in operative position within thecylindrical member and is adapted for interlockingengagement with latchparts carried by the assembly... :This. assembly .will be next describedand then .the locking'ofthe assembly in place will be takenup.

The standing valve packer assembly isradapted; to bemounted on a polishrod section 33.=.whichmakesupa part of the actuating .rod for-pump I The.rod length-331s connected to the lower end of pump'plunger or: pumpingmember v34 which in turn, is connected ing the two pump units.

to .the sucker rod 35. The mountingof, the

standing valve packer assembly onthe rod length. 33 issuch as to permitrelative sliding .movementbetween the rod and the assembly.

The standing valveis madeup of abody part havingvertical passages 36atherein. The

body 36 surrounds rod 33 and has a tapered seat,

surfiace 36b at its upper endin which the passages36a terminate. .Thisseat surface. is tapered to receive the surface u'ponan annular valvemember 31. which has a sliding movement upon a guide extension 360 ofthe body member.

formed of spring fingers and is adapted to.-be

connected to a movable stoptolimit movement of valvemember 31 as will behereinafter more fully .described.

The body 36 of the standing valve carries a packing 38 about its outerperipheryv which is held against .a down-turned annular shoulder.

intermediate the ends of the bodyand a gland ring 39 which isthreaded-to the body. This packing preferably is of the chevron type andprovides a seal between the valve body and the lower end of tube 23.

Obviously with the packing38 sealing oii bein the gland ring 39. Thusflow may .takeiplacev from the upper producing formation throughthe sealbetween the actuating rod of the pumping corresponding tapered Theextension 360 is.

perforation l5a, ports 21a and 28b. and 39a and thence through passages36a.

1 In order to prevent intermingling of the fluids from the two producingformations it is necessaryto pack oif the interior, of the cylindricalmembermade .up of tubes 28 and 29 and forming apart of, the crossoverdevice. This latter may r be accomplished by extending thevalve body. 36

downwardly .to :connect to a packing :sleeve .40.

This sleeve, 40 .is threaded .to the lower end of the valve body 38; Thepacker, sleeve 40 has disposed about its. outer periphery. packing 4|which1maybe-of the chevronorthe .cup types.

and which is held in place upon the sleeve'bes tween; a diowniturnedannular. shoulder 40a and a gland ring or washer 42 which in .turniisr'held 1 upon the packer sleeve by-. retainer 43'threaded to .-the'lower end .of .ithe sleevepyRetainerz43: carriesrinternal--packing;.44awhich:zalso prefer-z;

ably is of the :V'-type. '.'i:The: packing:-:44f re"-. tained. within anenlarged diameter: :portionof. the retainer. 43. by the upper end of .alatch part 45 threaded to thelower end of-the retainers:

The' latch part 45 is provided for the purpose; of anchoring or securingthe standing valve packer assembly in operative rpositionito control thepassageway through the tubular or cylindrical member and carriesanienlarged diameter portion 45a adapted to nest-in the interlockingfinger parts 32 which haveinternal recesses 32a formed therein for thispurposes The fingers 32 have a tapered portion 32b extending upwardlyand outwardly from the recess 32a and :down-: wardlyv and outwardlytapering surfaces 320.

This locking 0r. latch mechanism-is:detailed in Figs. 9, l0- and 11.-With-.this'arrangement it is clear that. if means is provided upon therod 33 for latching onto the assembly and pulling it: downwardly withinthe tubing string and tubular parts .28 and 29, the enlarged portion 45aof the locking part 45 will first engag'exthe tapered surfaces 32b onthe fingers 32 spreading-thesefingers to an outward position. When theen-- larged portion 45 reaches the'recess 32a the parts will interlockto secure the standingvalve packer assembly in operative position.However, it is then necessary to releasethe connection between theassembly and the rod 33 in'order that the rod 33 may be reciprocated toactuate the pump units. I

In my co-pending application mentionedzabove. ashearset-screw wasemployed-tov securethe rod 33 to the standingrvalve packer'assemblymWhile this. arrangement was entirely 'satisfac-".=.

tory for certain purposes, itwas not possible to II re-engage theconnection between the assembly I and the rod without pullingthe rodto'the ground surface and resetting the set screw.- In installing theapparatus in Wellsit 1 is often desirable' to release the standing valvepacker assembly" from operative locked position to permit manipulationof the actuating. rod for purposes of setting a polish. rod at theground s'urface or the like and then pass the actuating rod downward- 1yagain into a position to reseatgthe standing" valve and packer assembly.If it is necessarytopull .the entire length of actuating rod it is avery expensive-"and timeconsuming operation. In accordance. with -thisinvention there hasbeen provided a releasable set oflocking elementsbetween" the actuating I rod and the standing valve p'acker assemblyThese interlocking latch elements "include an.

internal recess 45b in the part. secured to the of fingers 46 secured tocoupling member fl;

Coupling member .41 has opposed end sockets for receiving ends of.adjacentzsections of the actuating rod. v

The fingersv 46have-at their ends out-turned lugs 4662 with hooksurfaces *a'daptedto engage; surface 450- in order to pull the: assemblydown 1 wardly within the string of tubing along with the lowering of therod. In order to release these 1 fingers when the standing valve' packerassembly. has been landed in operative position, the: fingers 46 areprovided with taperedsurfaces- 46b. The inherent. resiliency of thespring'ifingers32 is much strongerthan is that of'thespring fingers 46and when-the enlarged :portion'f45a is-ne'sted*=' ingtherecesses 32a.theitapered surfaces .32e -upon -i the fingers 32".engage 'the surfaces462) to collapse the locking'elements inwardly sumciently to provide forclearancebetween lug 4ua and shoulder 450. This particular position ofthe parts is shown in Fig. 9; Further downward movementof actuating rod33 will release the interlocking elements45b and 46; as shown in Fig.10. 1

It is then necessary to provide parts carried by the actuating rod forengagement with the fingers 32 to release them from interlockingengagement with the enlarged portion 450; upon upward'movement'of therod. This may be accomplished by providing large diameter parts 460 uponthe fingers 46 which are adapted upon upward movement of the rod toengage the tapered portions 320 to expand fingers 32 to the positionshown in Fig. 11 where the enlargedportion 451:. is free to be releasedfrom the recesses 32a. This expansion of the fingers 32 will take placebecause the fingers 46 will be collapsed into abutment with the rod asshown in Fig. 11 preventing further inward collapsing of these fingerswhereby with this support they are strong enough to spread the fingers32 outwardly. It is preferable to provide a rounded shoulder 45d uponthe upper edge of the enlargement 45a. which will abut a taperedshoulder 32d carried by the spring fingers in the event of anyengagement between the fingers and the enlargement as the enlargement isremoved upwardly from the recess 32a. 7

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the holddown mechanism for securingvalve member 31' of the standing valve in closed position to render theupper pump unit inefiective, will be explained. This releasablehold-down for the valve member 31 is manipulatable by rotation of theactuating rod string. It is therefore necessary to provide a movablestop carried by the standing valve assembly and a wrench mechanismbetween the stop and the actuating rod for selectively raising andlowering the stop.

This may be accomplished by providing-a tubular stop member 48 having aninternal threaded portion receiving a nut 49 threaded therein.Preferably the threads between the nut and stop are heavy fast-leadAcme-type threads which will turn easily as compared to the threadedconnection employed in making up the usual actuating or sucker rod. Thisnut 49 has an annular recess in its inner periphery shown at 49a whichreceives the enlarged end portions of spring extension members 360. Theupper ends of .these members 360 have lugs 35d adapted to mate with theopenings between lugs 49a on nut i 49 to hold the nut 49 againstrotation with stop" 48 whereby rotation of the stop will raise or lowerthe nut within the stop dependent uponthe di-' rection of rotation.

The stop 48 has a telescoping clutch engageturned'fianges having fiatinner peripheral surfaces as shown in Fig. '7. engagement, thenon-circular clutch parts prevent rotation between the members 48 and50. The wrench part 50 carries at its upper end With this telescopingwrench elements 50av adapted to mate with re-'- cesses formed in.aspecial coupling 5| included iniithe .actuating rod string; Thiscoupling is shownintFig; 5; andpreferably constitutes the 7 connectionbetween the lower portion ofthe'ro'd' rod and assembly released, theactuating rod may be lowered until coupling 5| engages wrench part 58with lugs 58a mated in the sockets formed in the lower end of thecoupling. Then rotation of the actuating rod will impart rotation to thetelescoping parts 48 and 50 and inasmuch as nut 49 is held againstrotation with the stop 48 thenut will be raised or lowered relative tothe stop dependent on the direction of rotation. If the rotation is suchas to move the stop downwardly the lower end of the stop will abut theupper end of valve member 31 and force it into seated position againstthe seat formed on the standing valve body 36. When it is desired torelease the valve member 31, reversed rotation of the actuating rod withthe parts 5 and 5| engaged will effect a raising of the stop 48 relativeto the valve member whereby the valve member willbe free to slideupwardly and downwardly upon the giude 350 to serve as a check valve tocontrol.

back flow through the standing valve.

'In order'to hold the lugs 50a in engagement with'th'e wrench part ofcoupling 51 it is prefer.-

able to'provide a'sp'ring or resilient member 52 Thus there is provideda movable part associ- I ated with the upper pump unit for selectivelyrenderingjthis unit operative and inoperative upon movement of the part;In addition, there is provideda lost motion connection between the partand the actuating rodwhich permits normal pumping reciprocation of therod without oper ative movement of the movable part and whichoperatively moves the part upon a movement of} the rod in other'than itsnormal pumping reciprocation. p

The plunger 34 heretofore referred to is carried at the lower end of thestring of rods 35 and is:

shown somewhat schematically in the drawings. For more detaileddescription, the co-pending application mentioned ab'ove,"now U.SJPaLtent No. 2,513,869 may be referred to. The plunger comprises ahollow tubing 34 having a snug fit within linear or pump barrel'20' andcarries a travelingvalve shown'schematically 9.1353. The valve cage ofthe traveling valve has radial ports 53a which provide communicationbetween the interior of' tubinglfi and the interior of the plunger 34.This'completes the passage to the ground surface for wellfluidsproduced'irom theupper producing zone;

Turning now to the pump units for the lower formation; this'i's shown inFigs; '1, 3 and 4. The

outer casing 30 isc'onnected at'its lower end with an adapter 54 whichiscoimecte'dto a continuation of the string ioftubing i 8 therebyproviding The external respectively. shoulder 62a engaging shoulder 550of the shoe, the tapered surface 58a sealingly seats on the lowerformation because the communication between the interior of casing tion.

Near its lower end the string of tubing 16 carries a landing shoe 56.This landing shoe may be "threadedly or otherwise secured to the tubingand has a tapered seating or landing-surface 56a ems upper end.Thistapered seating surface is adapted to sealingly receive acorrespondingly tapered seating surface ;or part carried by thelower-pump'unit. The shoe 56 has a passageway ftherethrough and containsa-recess 56b adapted to receive a latch element carried by the lowerpump unit. The shoe also has an internal shoulder EBc-adapted to beengaged by'latch ele 'ments carried 'by the lower pump unit to secure itin a second position relative the reto.'

' The lowerpump-unit-comprises a barrel portion -1 having a slidingguide connection atits upper end with the actuating rod. This guideconnection has'ports 51a communicating between the-interior of thepump-barrel and the interior of tubing I 6. Atthe lower end barrel 51 isconnected to a standing valve or seating part 58 having alower-seating-s-urface 580,, a central passageway and a seat surface581) at'the upper end adapted to seat a. ball check valve 59. Within thepump barrel is mounted a plunger, in-

cluding-a pump-member 60 mountedon the-lower end of actuatingrod 35which extends within the pump barrel, and a traveling valve. Cage BI issecured to the lower end of the plunger. Passages in the ends of theplunger place the interior thereof in communication with the interiorofthe pump barrel. The seating part 58 carries latching-members 62 in theform of spring elements having outturned tapered lugswith-shoulders 62aand 62b.

These lugs are adapted to engage the shoe at two different lockingpositions shown in Figs. 3 and 4 In the Fig. 3 position with the taperedsurface -5fiaof the shoe. In this position 'the lower pump unit isoperatively mounted and will induce flow of well fluid from the lowerformation when the plungeris reciprocated within the pump barrel 5?.Howeven'by lifting up on the'actuating-rod 35 until the upper end of theplunger engages the guide at the upper end of the pump barrel, theplungerwill be elevated to release the element 62 from the Fig. 3position and thelugs of the latching members'BZ will then lodge in therecess'56b as shown in Fig. 4. In

this position the'lower pump unit is mounted in af-airly stable positionbut reciprocation of the pump plunger will not induce flow from thefluid will by-pass through the upper ports 57a of the pump barrel,

between the pump barrel and tubing 18 and through the central passage ofthe standing valve member 58. Thus intheFig. 4 position thepump willbe'ineffective to pump thelower formation and'the arrangement is suchthat the pump may be selectively locked in either operative orineffective pumping position.

. !-Thus there hasbeenprovided a movable part associated with thelowerpump unit for selectively renderingit operative andinoperative uponmovement .of the partand alost motion'conv separating the casing tubingannulus into upper,

lower and intermediate chambers. The actuating rod 353 is then made upwith plunger 60 secured to the lower end thereof and residing within thepump barrel 57. This is then lowered into the tubing string l6 andas-the rod is made up'the coupling 37- carrying releasablelatch'elements 46 is secured therein and connected torod ;33 whichhas'mounted thereon the standing ,valve packer assembly for the upperpump unit. "This is all assembled on the rod string with theinterlocking elements 46 of the coupling member 4'! locked in positionwithin the recess 45!). This section of the rod is then lowered into thewell tubing and in proper position there is secured to the rod thespecial coupling 5 I- which will serve as the wrench unit for actuatingthehold-down mechanism to close off the upper standing valve member 31.Pump plunger 34 is then secured to the fitting 5i and the travelingvalve 5 3"connects the lower end of the suc'ker rod 35 with the plunger.

With all thisequipm'ent mounted on the rod the rod is then lowered intothe tubing 'l6-until the interlocking latch parts 45 carried by theupper standing valve Pac er assembly engage with the 'interlockingla'tch parts '32 carried by the cylindrical 'member 29 constituting apart of the crossover flow device. By referringto-Fig. 9 it will be seenthat-when the enlarged portion 15a seats in the recess 32a therelatively stifi fingers 32 have their tapered surface 320 engaged withthe tapered surface 46bof the interlocking latching elements carried bythe'rod. These relatively stronger fingers collapse the elements 56dreleasing the latch between "the' assembly and the rod. The actuatingrod is thenlowered until the seating part 58a engages the seating shoe56. Suiflcient weight is placed on the rod assembly to force thelatching elements 6-2 into their Fig. 3-position.

The actuating rod is then raised somewhat to place the pump plungers 34"and 60in operative position relative to the upper and lower pumpbarrels respectively. Reciprocation of the rod will induceflow from boththe upper and lower formation. The well fluidsproduced from the lowerformation will pass upwardly through the lower'pump unit, through thelower portion of tubing l6, through the annular space between thecylindrical parts 30 and; 2 9,' upwardly through passages 28a and 24aand into thecas'ing' tubing annulus above the packers 26. Thefluid*isthen produced through this annulus to the ground surface. It iscontemplated that this fluidcould be produced through an auxiliarytubing string lodged in this annulus.

Flow from the-upper producing-formation enters the'casing' throughperforations [5a and is retained in the casing between the packers 26and 55. The fluid, upon -aotuation of the upper pump unit, will. thenenter through the por'ts' 27a, 28b: and 39a .into the interior-of .thestanding valve body. The fluid will then pass upwardly through passages36a in the standing valve body and when the valve 31 is free to riseupwardly upon the guides 36c the fluid will force the valve out ofposition, blocking the passages 36 and will then enter into the liner orpump barrel Of course this latter movement will take place when theplunger is moving upwardly and when the plunger 34 is moving downwardlythe valve member 31 will prevent back flow of fluid from the liner. Thetraveling valve 53 serves in its usual function to raise the fluid uponthe upstroke of the plunger. The fluid is then transferred to the groundsurface through the tubing string ii.

If, during the landing operation for installing the two pump units inthe well equipment, it becomes necessary to dislodge the upper standingvalve packer assembly from operative position for any reason, this maybe readily accomplished by raising the actuating rod until elements 46are collapsed and enter into the recess within the enlarged portion 45aof the locking part carried bythe standing valve packer assembly. Thetapered surfaces 320 of the looking parts carried by the cylindricalmember 29 will first engage the tapered ends of lug 46a and then thetapered surfaces 46?) to collapse elements 48. However, they can notcollapse further after engagement withthe rod and fur- .ther raising ofthe rod will bring the surfaces ,460 into contact with the tapered endsof members 32 to spring them'outwardly as shown in Fig. 11 to releasethe locking parts between the standing valve packing assembly and thecylindrical member 29. Further movement upwardly of the rod will carrythe assembly upwardly and the members 6 will expand outwardly to engagethe interlocking element carried by the packing standing valve assemblyas soon as the shoulders- 450 are brought out of engagement with therelatively stiff elements of'the locking parts 32. Thus when it isagain-desired to'land'the assembly in operative position, lowering-ofthe actuating rod will pull the standing valve packer assembly intolocked position ready for operation.

,If it becomes desirable to produce only from the lower formation and torender the upper pumping unit ineffective this may be accomplished bylowering the'actuating rod 35 until coupling member engages with wrenchpart 50a carried by part 50. Then rotation of the rod in a clock-wisedirection when looking down on the rod will raise nut '49 relative tothe stop 48 and the stop 48 will be moved into engagement with valvemember 31 to hold it seated and thus close off allflow through thestanding valve. This renders this upper pump-unit ineffective. Reverserotation of the'rod, with the coupling 5! engaged with the; member 50will back the stop off so as to again render, the upper pump unitoperative;

When it is desirable to produce only. from the upper producingformation, the lower pump unit may be rendered ineffective by picking upon the actuating rod 35 "until the upper end of the plunger engages "theguidepart of the barrel 51. Then by pulling on the actuating rod thespring members 52 will be pulled into-the recess 56b. This anchors thislower-pump assembly in a relatively stationary position but breaks theseal between the seating surfaces 58d and. 55a. The actuating rod isthen lowered somewhat into position forreciprocation-and only th 99 pumpunit will be effective due to the'bypassing of fluid about the lowerpump unit.-' This unit may be selectively rendered operative by loweringthe actuating rod until the lower end of the pump plunger engages thestanding valve ball member 59. The weight of the rod will then cause thepump barrel 5! to be forced to its lower or Fig. 3 position with a sealformedbetween the tapered seating surfaces 56a and 58a.

It will be seen that the objects of this invention have beenaccomplished. There has been provided two-zone pump apparatus which iscapable of selectively pumping either of the upper or lower producingzones simultaneously or separately. The constructionis such that all theoperating parts for the pumps, for both upper and lower producing zones,may be carried by the actuating rod and selectively landed or releasedfrom operative position by manipulation of the rod. The arrangement issuch that one of the pump units may be rendered effective or ineffectiveby selected rotative manipulation of the actuating rod for the two pumpunits and the other pump unit may be rendered selectively operative orineffective by reciprocal manipulation of the actuating rod withoutthelimits of the normal pumping reciprocation. The apparatus is suchthat the production from each of the producing zones is conducted to theground surfaces through separate flow passages preventing interminglingof the fluids from the two zones.

From the foregoin it will be seen that this invention is'onewell'adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth,together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are ofutility and may be enrployed without reference to other features andsub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

Referring to the appended claims and to the terminology used therein, itis tobe understood that the standard valve and packer assembly made upof body part 36 and other parts, the valve member or movable means 31,the stop member or movabl part 48, as well as elements represented bynumerals 5D, 52 and other elements cooperating with the named parts,form a part of the first pump unit, all of these elements being showngenerally in Figure 12. Further, in this same connection, the lower pumpbarrel 51 and latching members 62 and generally the parts shown inFigures 3, 4 and 12A form a part of the second pump unit.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein setforth orshown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not i n-a limiting sense. t

Having described the invention,- W at is claimed 1. In two-zone wellpumping apparatus for use in pumping wells having two vertically spacedfluid-producing formations, communicating with a well bore, saidapparatus including in combination a string of flow tubing extendingdownwardly within the well bore and having openings to place itsinterior in communication 'with- -both for-mations, tworeciprocating-type pump units disposed within the tubing adjacent thetwo formations respectively, said units having pump barrels, pumpmembers and standing'and trav'ellingvalves arranged in a conventionalmanner, a single actuating rod operably connected withboth pump units,and means including a movable part for selectively and releasablyclosing one of the standing valves, a releasable connection between saidmeans and said actuating rod for moving said part upon rotation of therod with the connection made.

2. In two-zone well pumping apparatus for use in pumping wells havingtwo vertically spaced fluid-producing formations communicating with a.well bore, said apparatus including in combination a string of flowtubing extending downwardly within the well bore and. having openings toplace its interior in communication with both formations, tworeciprocating-type pump units disposed within the tubing adjacent thetwo formations respectively, said units having pump barrels, pumpmembers and standing and travelling valves arranged in a conventionalmanner, a single actuating rod operably connected with both pump units,a stop carried by the standing valve of one pump unit adapted uponrotationin one direction to be advanced into engagement with the valvemember of last said standing valveto hold it closed and upon rotation inthe other direction to be moved to an out-oi-the-w'ay position to permitthe valve member to move to an open position, and releasableinterlocking parts carried by the stop and rod adapted upon engagement 1and rotation 'of the rodto rotate the stop.

-3. Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said standing valve of said onepump is of the annular type.

4. In pumping apparatus for use in pumping wells having two verticallyspaced fluid-producing formations communicating with the well bore, saidapparatus including in combination a string of flow tubing extendingdownwardly within the Well bore and having openings to place itsinterior in communication with both formations, two reciprocating-typepump units disposed within the tubing adjacent the two formationsrespectively, said units having pump barrels, pump members and standingand travelling valves -arranged in a conventional manner, a seating shoecarried by the tubing-string adjacent one producing formation, the pumpbarrelof one of the pump units constituting a cylindrical elementcommunicating at both ends with the interior of the tubing string, oneof the standing valves carried by the lower end of the cylindricalelement to controlflow therethrough, a part on the-cylindrioalelement-adapted to be sealingly seated on the seating shoe and a latchmechanism including engageableparts carried by the cylindrical elementand by the tubing string to releasably secure the cylindrical element inseated and and non-seated relationship with the seating shoe.

5. In apparatus for use in pumping wells having two vertically spacedfluid-producing dormations communicating with the well bore,said-apparatus including in combination a stringoi flow tubing extendingdownwardly within the well bore and having openings to placeitsinteriorlin communication with both formations, two reciprocating-typepump units disposed within the tubing adjacent the two formationsrespectively, a common actuating rod for said pump units, said unitshaving pump barrels, pump members and standing and travelling valvesarranged ma oon-- ventional manner, a seating surface carried by thetubing string adjacent one producing formation, the pump barrel of oneof the pump units comprising a cylindrical element communicatingntbothends with the, interior of the tubing string,

one of the standing valves carried by thelower end-of the cylindricalelement to control flow therethrough, a seating part on the cylindricalelement adapted to be sealingly seated on the seating surface, a latchmechanism including engageable parts respectively carried by thecylindrical element and by the tubing string to releasably secure thecylindrical element in seated and non-seated relationship with theseating surface, and parts carried by the actuating rod and cylindricalelement adapted to engage upon reciprocation of the rod outside theusual limits of a pumping operation to move the cylindrical elementwithin the tubing string to manipulate the latch mechanism.

6. As a sub-combination, apparatus for use with equipment for pumping.from two vertically spaced production zones in a well comprising aseating shoe adapted to be connected into a tubing string and havingaseat surface thereon, a cylindrical element including a pump barrel witha passageway therethrough and a seat part car-.- ried by said elementadapted to sealingly engage the seat surface of said shoe, and a latchmecha nism including a part carried by said element, said mechanismbeing adapted to releasably secure the cylindrical element in twoselected positions relative to the shoe, the positions being with theseat part seated upon and unseated from the seat surface.

7. As a sub-combination,apparatus for use-with equipment for; pumpingfrom two vertically spaced production zones in a well comprising aseating shoe adapted to be connected into a tubing string and having aseat surface thereon; a cylindrical elementincludinga pump barrel with apassageway therethrough, a seat part carried by said element adapted tosealingly engage the seat surface of said shoe, and a standing valvecontrolling :the passageway; and a latch mechanism including apartcarried by said element; said mechanism being adapted to releasablysecure the cylindrical element in two selected :positions relative totheshoe, thepositions being with th seat part seated upon-and unseatedfrom the seat surface.

8. In apparatus for pumping wells having two vertically spacedproduction zones and equipped with a stringof well teasing and a stringof flow tubing, thelatter having'openings to place its interior incommunication with two vertically spaced producing formations, saidapparatus including upper and lower pump cylinders-disposed in thetubing string adjacent therespective producing formations and providinga part or" the passageway through said tubing, pump members reciprocallymounted in the cylinders with a common actuating rodinterconnectingthem, and a standing valve and packer assembly carried bythe .rod and insertabl and removable therewith intoandout of the tubing,the packer adapted to seal off the passageway between the standing valveand thclower formation, the improvement which resides in the combinationtherewith :01 latch mechanism for releasably securing the assembly inoperative position comprising coacting latch parts carried by theassembly and tubing string adapted to engage upon movementofthe assemblyinto operative position relative to the tubing to rcleasably anchor theassembly, releas-- ably engageable latchelements carriedbythe "rod andassembly, a part carried by thetubing for releasing said latch elementsWhen the assembly islancho-red, and-a part-carried by the rod adapts.

ed to release th latchjparts when the r-odds withdrawn from the stringor tubing.-

9. In apparatus for pumping wells having two vertically spacedproduction zones and equipped with a string of well casing, a string offlow tubing extending to the lower producing zone and having openings toplac its interior in communication with both zones, said apparatusincluding two reciprocating-type pump units, with a common actuatingrod, disposed within the tubing ad-' jacent the two producing zonesrespectively; one of the pump units including a standing valve andpacker assembly slidably mounted upon and surrounding the actuating rodand adapted to be lowered into and withdrawn from the tubing string withsaid rod, the standing valve having a passage therethrough communicatingwith one of the zones and adapted to control flow therefrom, the packeradapted to divid the tubing to separate the portions thereofcommunicating with the two zones, a hold-down mechanism for releasablyanchoring the assembly in operative position relative to said one pumpunit including interlocking parts carried by the assembly and tubingadapted to be releasably engaged and anchor the assembly, andinterlocking elements carried by the assembly and rod adapted toreleasably secure the assembly against sliding on the rod, and

means carried by'the interlocking parts and elements respectivelyadapted to co-act with each other whereby the elements are released upondownward travel ofthe assembly into position to lock the parts and theparts are released upon upward travel of the "rod to engage the interlocking elements.

10. As a sub-combination, reciprocating-type pump apparatus adaptablefor use in conjunction with well production apparatus for pumping from aplurality of vertically spaced production zones in 'a well comprising acylindrical member adapted to be disposed within a string of flow tubingto receivea standing valve and packer, a rod adapted tobe connected as apart of an actuator for reciprocating a pump member, a standing valveand packer assembly slidably mounted on said rod, interlocking latchparts carried by the cylindrical member and assembly adapted wheninterlocked to anchor the assembly, interlocking latch elements carriedby the assembly and rod adapted to releasably secure the assemblyagainst sliding on th rod, and means carried by the interlocking partsand elements respectively adapted to co-act with each other whereby theelements are unlocked upon downward travel of the assembly into positionto lock the parts and the parts are unlocked upon upward travel or therod to lock the interlocking elements.

11. As a sub-combination, reciprocating-type pump apparatus adaptablefor use in conjunction with well production apparatus for pumping from aplurality'of vertically spaced production zones in a well comprising acylindrical member adapted to be disposed within a' string'of flow tubig to receive a standing 'valve and packer, a rod within said cylindricalmember and adapted to be connected as a part of anactuator for areciprocating pump, a standing valve and packer assembly slidablymounted on said rod, interlocking latch parts carried by the cylindricalmember and assemblyadapted to releasably engage each other to anchorthe'assembly, and interlocking latch elementscarii'ed by the assembly androd adapted to releasably'se'cure the assembly against sliding on therod, surfaces on the latch parts carried'by the cylindrical memberadapted to engage peripheral parts on the latch elements carried by therod to release same when the latch parts of the assembly are drawn intoengagement with the cylindrical member latch parts on lowering of therod, and other peripheral portions on the rod latch elements adapted toengage surfaces on the cylindrical member latch parts to release samewhen the rod is raised to re-engage the latch elements.

12. As a sub-combination, reciprocating-type pump apparatus adaptablefor use in conjunction with well production apparatus for pumping from aplurality of vertically spaced production zones in a well comprising acylindrical member adapted to be disposed within a string of flow tubingto receive a standing valve and packer, a reciprocative. rod within thecylindrical member, a standing valve and packer assembly slidablymounted on said rod within said cylindrical member, spring fingerscarried by the cylindrical member and. extending axially thereof, saidfingers formed with an annular internal recess adjacent their ends, andhaving internal beveled surfaces at their ends, a latch extensionsecured to the assembly and having an exterior annular enlargement atits end adapted to nest in the recess'of the spring fingers toreleasably anchor the assembly to the cylindrical'member, said extensionhaving an internal annular recess with an annular opening thereto at theend of the extension and between the extension and rod, spring latchelements secured to the rod and extending axially thereof with outturned' lugs at the ends for engaging the extension recess to releasablysecure the assembly against sliding on therod, the latch elements beingWeaker than the spring fingers and having parts engageable thereby torelease the assembly when the extension enlarge ment is nested in thespring fingers recess and having other parts adapted to engage thebeveled ends of the spring fingers to spread same and thereby releasethe enlarged end of the extension when the rod is raised. I

13. In a two-zone well pumping apparatus for use in pumping wells havingtwo vertically spaced fluid-producing formations communicating with awell bore, said apparatus including in combination, a flow string oftubing extending downwardly within the well bore and having openings toplace its interior incommunication with both formations, first andsecond reciprocating-type pump units disposed within the tubing adjacentthe two formations respectively, a single actuat: ing rod operablyconnected with both pump units, a closable standing valve assemblyassociated with said first pump unitcomprisinga body, a valve membermovable relative to said body, a stop carried by the body and movablerelative to the body upon rotation to limit movement of the valvemember, a part carried by said stop adapted to be engaged by a co-actingwrench part carried by said rod, a valve assembly associated withsaidsecond pump unitcomprising a seating shoe dis posed within the tubingstring, a valve element carried by the second pump unit adapted to besealingly seated on the seating shoe and a latch mechanism carried bythe second pump unit and tubing string to releasably secure the valveelement in seated and non-seated relationship with the shoe." J

14. In two-zone well pumping-apparatus, for use in pumping wells havingtwo vertically spaced fluid-producing formations communicating with awell bore, said apparatus including in combination a flow string oftubing extending downwardly within the well bore and having openings toplace its interior in communication with both formations, first andsecond reciprocating-type pump units disposed Within the tubing adjacentthe two formations respectively, a single actuating rod operablyconnected with both pump units. a closable standing valve assemblyassociated with said first pump unit comprising a body member with portmeans therethrough, a valve member having a movable mounting relative tothe body member and movable into open and closed positions relative tothe port means to control flow therethrough, a stop carried by the bodymember to limit movement of the valve member, the mounting of the stopbeing such as to cause it to move toward and away from the port meansupon relative rotation of the stop and body member, the direction ofmovement depending upon the rotational sense, and a part carried by saidstop adapted to be releasably engaged by a co-acting wrench part carriedby said actuating rod, said second pump unit comprising a seating shoeadapted to be connected to the tubing string and having a seat surfacethereon, a cylindrical element including a pump barrel with a passagewaytherethrough and a seat part adapted to sealingly engage the seatsurface of said shoe, and latch mechanism between the cylindricalelement and the tubing string adapted to releasably secure thecylindrical element in two selected positions relative to the shoe, thepositions being with the seat part and seat surface seated and unseated.

15. In a two-zone well pumping apparatus for use in pumping wells havingtwo vertically spaced fluid-producing formations communicating with awell bore, said apparatus including in combination, a flow string oftubing extending downwardly within the well bore and having at least oneopening for each formation to provide communication between the interiorof the tubing and both formations, means within the tubing communicatingwith each of said tubing openings, two reciprocating type pump unitsdisposed within the tubing adjacent the two formations respectively, anactuating rod operably connected with both pump units, first additionalmeans rendering one of said pump units inoperable upon rotation of saidrod and including a first part having an operating connection with therod and said first part being movable relative to the tubing by rotationof the rod and cooperating with the communicating means within thetubing, to interrupt normal fluid flow through the communicating meansand from said one pump unit, and second additional means rendering theother of said pump unit inoperable upon reciprocation of said rodoutside the usual limits of a pumping operation and including a secondpart having an operating connection with the rod and movable relative tothe tubing to cooperate with said communicating means to interruptnormal fluid flow through said communicating means and from said otherpump unit.

16. A pumping apparatus which comprises, in combination, a tubing, firstand second reciprocating type pump units arranged in tandem in saidtubing, a reciprocative actuating rod connecting said pump units foroperation thereof, movable means having an operating connection withsaid rod and cooperating with means forming a part of said first pumpunit selectively rendering said first unit operative and inoperativeupon movement of said movable means, and a lost motion connecting meansbetween said movable means and said rod providing normal pumpingreciprocation of said rod without operative movement of said movablemeans and operatively moving said movable means upon a movement of saidrod in other than said normal pumping reciprocation and on an axisextending longitudinally with respect to the tubing axis.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 in combination with second movable meanshaving an operating connection with said rod and cooperating with meansforming a part of said second pump unit for selectively rendering saidsecond unit operative and inoperative upon movement of said secondmovable means, and a second lost motion connecting means between saidsecond movable means and said rod permitting normal pumpingreciprocation of said rod without operative movement of said secondmovable means and operatively moving said second movable means upon amovement of said rod in other than said normal pumping reciprocation andon an axis extending longitudinally with respect to the tubing axis.

TEMPLE P. HOFFER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,832,725 Mueller Nov. 17, 1931 1,968,379 Curtis July 31, 19342,242,166 Bennett May 13, 1941 2,281,899 White May 5, 1942 2,298,834Moore Oct. 13, 1942 2,304,303 Ferguson Dec. 8, 1942 2,499,356 CoberlyMar. 7, 1950 2,499,849 Coberly Mar. 7, 1950 2,513,869 Hoffer July 4,1950 2,522,825 Hoffer Sept. 19, 1950

